System for controlling power flow in a power bus generally powered from reformer-based fuel cells
First Claim
1. A control system for controlling power flow in a power bus generally powered by a reformer-based fuel cell system (FCS), the control system comprising:
- an energy storage device (ESD);
a power interface unit coupled to selectively pass power bi-directionally between the energy storage device and the power bus in response to an ESD power command signal supplied to the power interface unit; and
a controller coupled to the power bus to receive one or more signals indicative of the instantaneous power delivered by the fuel cell system and configured to generate the ESD power command signal so that the energy storage device may supply power to the power bus at least during transient conditions when the instantaneous power delivered by the fuel cell system is below a FCS power command signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for controlling power flow in a power bus generally powered by a reformer-based fuel cell system (FCS) is provided. The control system comprises an energy storage device (ESD); a power interface unit coupled to selectively and bi-directionally pass power between the energy storage device and the power bus; and a controller coupled to the power bus to receive one or more signals indicative of the instantaneous power delivered by the fuel cell system. The controller may be configured so that the energy storage device may supply power to the power bus at least during transient conditions when the instantaneous power delivered by the fuel cell system drops below a (FCS) power command signal.
56 Citations
47 Claims
-
1. A control system for controlling power flow in a power bus generally powered by a reformer-based fuel cell system (FCS), the control system comprising:
-
an energy storage device (ESD);
a power interface unit coupled to selectively pass power bi-directionally between the energy storage device and the power bus in response to an ESD power command signal supplied to the power interface unit; and
a controller coupled to the power bus to receive one or more signals indicative of the instantaneous power delivered by the fuel cell system and configured to generate the ESD power command signal so that the energy storage device may supply power to the power bus at least during transient conditions when the instantaneous power delivered by the fuel cell system is below a FCS power command signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. An auxiliary power system in combination with a reformer-based fuel cell system (FCS) for energizing a power bus coupled to one or more electric motor drives coupled to drive a load, the power system comprising:
-
an energy storage device (ESD);
a power interface unit coupled to selectively pass power bi-directionally between the energy storage device and the power bus in response to an ESD power command signal supplied to the power interface unit; and
a controller coupled to the power bus to receive one or more signals indicative of the instantaneous power delivered by the fuel cell system and configured to generate the ESD power command signal so that the energy storage device may supply power to the power bus at least during transient conditions when the instantaneous power delivered by the fuel cell system drops below a FCS power command signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
-
32. A method for controlling power flow in a power bus generally powered by a reformer-based fuel cell system (FCS), the method comprising:
-
providing an energy storage device (ESD);
selectively passing power bi-directionally between the energy storage device and the power bus in response to an ESD power command signal; and
determining the instantaneous power delivered by the fuel cell system so that the energy storage device may supply power to the power bus at least during transient conditions when the instantaneous power delivered by the fuel cell system is below a FCS power command signal. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
-
Specification